y dear sir!" chimed in Cornelia. "And its place is
everywhere, I think. I never heard uncle make so long a speech before!"

"Beware, or I will punish you by making another!" replied Mr. Wyndham,
drawing the mischievous girl towards him. "But I have news for you all,
which I think will scarcely disturb your slumbers. I received a note
this afternoon, informing me that the united wisdom of your parents had
concluded to prolong your holiday by one day; and so your 'Week's
Delight,' as Amy calls it, must be counted by Long Measure--a week and a
day."

"Glorious!" cried George. "Let's pack the day as full of fun as ever it
will hold. I never shall forget the jolly time we have had this year at
The Grange!"

"Not even the ice-bath at the pond, George?" said Cornelia.

"No, indeed; nor my kind deliverance; nor my brave rescuer," answered
George.

"That might, indeed, have turned our laughter into weeping," replied Mr.
Wyndham, lighting his lamp. "And now, Good-night, and happy dreams!"

CHAPTER X.

WHISPERING GALLERY.--POTENTATES.--THREE YOUNG MEN.

The last day at The Grange had come, and well was it filled up with
active exercise and sport, song, laughter, and sweet converse. In the
evening all met as usual in the library, eager for whatever amusement
might turn up; for everything was _impromptu_ among our young people,
and, whether story, games, or conversation, had at least the merit of
spontaneity.

"I have a thought," said Alice. "There is a game I would call 'Gossip,
or Whispering Gallery,' which can take in the whole of us, and possibly
take us all in, in a double sense. Let Aunt Lucy sit in one corner of
the room, and Uncle John in another; and we young folks can range
ourselves between. Aunty can say anything she pleases in a low whisper
to her next neighbor, only she must be careful to name some one; and he
must repeat it to a third, and so through the line. The last person must
announce distinctly what the whisper was, and settle any differences
with Aunt Lucy, who originates the whisper."

"Very good," replied Mrs. Wyndham. "Only it is evident to me that I am
going to be victimized!"

"O, you can stand it; you can stand it!" cried out several young voices.
"Your character for truth and prudence is established; and with Uncle
John at the other end of the line, you need not fear!"

And so the company was arranged, and care taken that no ear heard the
"gossip," save the one for which it was des